Stamp-canceling and postmarking machine.



No. 643,987. 1 v

' G. W. SCHOCK.

STAMP GANGELING AND POSTMARKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1897.)

Patented Feb. 20, I900.

(No Model.)

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, Geo elflcizocli N0. 643,987. Patented Feb. 20, I900.

G. W. SCHUCK. STAMP CANCELING AND POSTMARKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1897.)

4 Sheets$heet 2.

(No Model.)

wttnes se THE NcRms PETERS to, Pnm'ca-| |n a.v WASHINGTON, u. c.

No. 643,987. Patented Feb. 20, I900.

G. W. SCHOCK. STAMP CANCELING AND POSTMABKING MACHINE.

(Application filed Nov. 1, 1897.)

4Sheets-Sheet 4.

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PATENT GEORGE W. SOHOCK, OF SOUTH BEND, INDIANA.

STAMP-CANCELIN'G AND POSTMARKING MACHINE SPECIFICATION forming part ofLetters Patent No. 643,987, dated February 20,

T0 to whom it may concern:

' Be it known that I, GEORGE W. SoHooK, a citizen of the United States,residing at South Bend, in the county of St. Joseph and State ofIndiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inStamp-Canceling and Postmarking Machines, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to a sta m p-cancelin g and postmarking machineof the class wherein the mail-matter is automatically fed to themarking-die; and the object of the invention is to provide a machinewhich shall be inexpensive, being of few parts, and shall be practicallynoiseless, the marking-dies having a rotation independent of each other.

The invention consists in improved automatic means for feeding andseparating the letters successively from a parcel of letters looselyplaced upon the machine and feeding them through the machine,whereby thestamp is canceled and the letters are postmarked,

onto a table ready for distribution or delivery.

The invention further consists in the parts shown in the drawings,described in the specification, and more particularly pointed out in theclaims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is aplan view of my improved machine embodyingthe principles of my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same.Fig.3 is an enlarged plan view of a portion of the machine. Fig. 4 is asectional elevation of the same, taken at a point indicated by the linem as, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view of the machine,taken at a point indicated by the line y y, Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is alongitudinal vertical sectional view of the ink-receptacle. Fig. 7 is atransverse sectional view of the same. Fig. 8 is a detail perspectiveview of a portion of the upper edge of the ink-receptacle, showing themeans for regulating the feed of the ink therefrom. Fig. 9 is a detailperspective view of one of the rotary heads, illustrating theconstruction and arrangement and location of the parts thereof. Fig. 10is a detail perspective view of the feed-screws and feed-weight arrangedthereon. Fig. 11 is a detail sectional view of one of the rotary headsof the machine, illustrating a modification of the means for securingthe postmark- Application filed November 1, 18 9 '7. Serial No. 6 5 6, 99 9. (No model.)

ing-die and type therein. Fig. 12 is a sec-'- tional plan View on theline 2' a, Fig. 2.

In carrying out my invention the frame 1 of the machine is supportedupon legs 2, secured to a suitablebase-plate or floor of the building bybolts 3. The frame comprises and supports a table 4, upon which thecarrying mechanism for the mail-matter is supported and moves, a table5, upon which is secured the feeding mechanism for successivelyseparating the individual parts of the mail-matter from a parcel of mailmatter placed thereon, and a table 6, which carries the deliverymechanism.

This invention pertains to that class of machines wherein the mailmatteris placed thereon in loose parcels or packages, and the feedingmechanism therefor comprises the means for separating the parts of theparcel or package and placing them upon the carrier,which carries themsuccessively between the marking-dies and upon the delivering mechanism,which in turn carries the mailmatter to a table ready for delivery ortransportation.

. J ournaled in suitable bearings 7, arranged upon two of thesupporting-legs 2, is a powershaft 8 of the machine, upon one end ofwhich is arranged a pulley 9, over which runs a belt 10, which receivesmotion from any suitable source of motive power, by which means theshaft 8 has a continuous revolution controlled by a suitable clutch orbelt shifting lever located within easy reach of the operator. Securedupon the shaft 8 is a pulley 10, over which and over pulleys 11 and 12,arranged upon shafts 13 and 14, respectively, j ournaled in suitablebearings arranged in and carried by the frame, runs a belt 15, whichldesignate the carrier-belt, the said belt also serving as a means torevolve the several revoluble parts of the machine, as will behereinafter more fully described.

16 designates an idler journaled upon a bolt or shaft 17, secured in aslot 18 in the frame, said idler having a vertical adjustment, as shown,and acting as a tightener for the carrier-belt.

The feeding mechanism comprises screwshafts 19 and 20, arrangedlongitudinally of the table 5 and transversely to the machine,

the screw-shafts being journaled in bearings 21 at one end and restingon half-bearings 22 at the opposite end. Upon the outer ends of saidshafts are secured grooved wheels 23, over which and over a similargrooved wheel 24 upon the shaft 13 passesa belt 25, by which means therevolution imparted to the shaft 13 by means of the carrier-belt istransmitted to the shafts 19 and 20, which have a revolution in the samedirection.

The table 5 is located slightly above the table 4, as shown in Figs. 2and 5, the table 4 having flanges 26 and 27 extending upwardlytherefrom, which forms a channel extending from beneath the end of thetable 5 to the marking-dies. Arranged upon one side of the table 5 andprojecting upwardly therefrom is aflange 28, which is of a similarheight to the flanges 26 and 27, which serves as an end guide to themail-matter placed upon the feeding mechanism, as will be hereinaftermore fully described. Secured to the flange 27 opposite the end of thetable 5 is a hanger 29, having vertical arms 30, in which is j on rnaleda shaft 31, having secured thereon a roller 32, between the arms 30 ofthe hanger and a grooved pulley 33, arranged upon the outer end of saidshaft. Secured in a vertical slot 34, arranged in one of the legs 2, isa hanger 35, in which is journaled a shaft 36, upon which is secured apulley 37, against which the carrier-belt 15 has a frictional engagementwhereby the pulley 37 is revolved, and a grooved wheel 38, over whichand over the grooved pulley 33 passes a belt 39, by which means theshaft 31,and consequently the roller 32, is revolved. The roller 32'isprovided with a series of longitudinally-arranged pins 40, extendingalong the entire length of the roller, and a peripheral row of pins 41,arranged upon the forward end thereof.

When it is desired to place a parcel of mailmatter upon the machine, thematter is placed to rest with its lower edge upon the screwshafts 19 and20 and to incline as shown in Fig. 5,the upperedge resting against theroller 32. Resting upon the screw-shafts are the ends 42 of a gravityfeed-bar 43, the ends 42 being screw-threaded upon their under sides andbearing upon the screw-threads 19 and 20, whereby they aresimultaneously moved forward by the revolution of the SC16W-Sl121fi3S.Projecting upwardly from the bar 43 at a point midway its length is aprojection 44, which is adapted to bear against the outer side of theparcel and to exert a pressure thereon to feed the same forwardly towardthe roller 32.

Secured at each end of the flange 28, heretofore described, is a wire45, the one edge of which is bent upwardly, as at 46, Fig. 5, to a pointadjacent to the inner end of the roller 32, said rod forming a stop forthe letters while they are supported upon the screwshafts 19 and 20.Screw-shaft 20 is slightly longer than the shaft 19, whereby themailmatter is released by the screw-shaft 19 prior to its release by thescrew-shaft 20, the object being to release the letter in such a mannerfrom the screw-shaft that the frictional engagement of the roller 32will be such as to force the letter downwardly upon the carrierbelt 15,the forward end being the lowest, whereby the danger of the forward endabutting against the wire 46 when released by the screw shafts andclogging the machine is avoided, a pin 45, extending across thecarrier-belt slightly above the same at a point below and at one side ofthe shaft 20, serving as a medium to catch the rear end of themailmatter,whereby only the forward end can contact with thecarrier-belt to receive the initial movement imparted thereby.

The operation of the feeding mechanism is as follows: The carrier-beltbeing in motion, revolution is imparted to the screw-shafts, andlthefeed-bar 43 is impelled forward toward the roller 32. The mail-matter isthere'- fore fed thereby and is forced downward by the roller 32 uponthe carrier-belt, it being understood that the speed of revolution ofthe screw-shafts and the number of threads upon the screw-shafts areproportionate to the size of the mail-matter fed thereby.

The canceling and postmarking mechanism comprises a revoluble impressionmember and marking die, arranged oppositely to each other, and thecarrying mechanism interposed between the same and the feeding mechanism, and is constructed and arranged as follows: The table 4 is formedwith side flanges 47 and 48, and in the side flange 47 is an orificehaving a depending annular side wall 49 integral with the flange 47, inwhich is placed a lining of Babbitt or brass 50, which forms a bearingfor the upper end of a shaft 51.

Secured between two of the supporting-legs of the machine is a brace 52,having orifices 53, through one of which extends a box 54, in which thelower end of the shaft 51 is journaled, the box being supported in saidorifices 53, being secured to the brace 52 by means of screw-bolts 55,passing through depending lugs 56 upon the brace 52 and bearing in sideorifices in the hearing, as shown more specifically in Figs. 2 and 12.

Arranged upon the shaft 8 in alinemont with the shaft 51 is a band-wheel57, over which and over a like wheel 58, arranged upon the shaft 51,passes a belt 59, by which motion is imparted to the shaft 51. Securedupon the upper end of the shaft 51, above the table 4, is a marking-die60, secured thereon to revolve therewith by means of the set-screws 61.Arranged in parallel relation with the shaft 51, upon opposite sides ofthe table 4, is a shaft 62, journaled at its upper end in a slidingblock 63, arranged in an elongated opening 64 in the side flange 48 ofthe table 4 and at its lower end in a box 65, pivotally secured in thebrace 52 by means of the bolts 66, as has heretofore been described inreference to the box 54. Arranged upon the lower end of the shafts 51and 62 are gear-wheels 67 and 68, which mesh together, and by whichmeans motion is transmitted from the shaft 51 to the shaft 62 to causethe shafts to revolve in opposite direction.

Secured upon the upper end of the shaft 62 is an impression member 69,which is of similar form and construction to the marking-die andoperates in conjunction therewith to cancel a stamp and place thepostmark upon mail-matter passed between the same, as will behereinafter more fully described.

Pivotally secured between lugs projecting outwardly from the flanges 26and 27, extending upwardly from the table 4:, are levers and 71, .whichare normally held in the position shown in Fig. 3 by means ofcoil-springs 72 and 73, which are interposed between the flanges 26 and27, respectively, and the outer ends of the levers,.the springs beingcoiled around rods 74 and 75, which are secured at one end to theflanges 26 and 27, respectively, and passed through orifices in theouter ends of the levers 70 and 71, the rods serving the purpose to forma guide for the rear end of the levers and also for a support for thesprings. The inner end ofthe lever is provided with an angledprojection76, and the lever 7 0 at its inner end is of a snflicientwidth to project above the lever 71, as shown more specifically in Fig.9. The inner ends of the levers abut against each other and form astopfor the mail-matter as it is successively fed by the feedingmechanism heretofore described and carried forward by the carrierbelt15, the mail-matter being held by the levers until the levers areseparated and the mail-matter is grasped and carried forward by thecoaction of the impression member and the printing-die and the mechanismcarried thereby. The general outlines and construction of the impressionmember and printing-die being the same a description of one will sufficefor the other. The impression. member and printing-die comprise a body77, having a segmental lug 78, the outer periphery of which isconcentric to the axis of the body 77.

79 and 80 designate flanges extending outwardly from the upper side ofthe body, upon opposite sides thereof, and arranged above the flange 79and pivotally secured thereto at its outer end by means of thepivot-bolt S1 is a clamping-dog 82, having a serrated clam pingsurface83 upon its outer end, the under side of said dog having adownwardly-projecting lug portion 84.: The clamping-dogs are designed tograsp the letter and to frictionally carry it forward simultaneouslywith the operation of the opening of the levers 70, which isaccomplished by the shoulder 84 upon the clamping-dog carried by themarking die abutting against and forcing the inner end of the lever 70outwardly and the mail-matter beyond the projection 76. The pressureexerted by the clamping-dog is regulated by the coiled spring 82,interposed between the same and a lug 83 upon the marking-die, a rod 84and nut 84c adjusting the tension of the spring;

Arranged beneath the projection 80 and secured thereto by means of a nut85 is a tubular socket 86, through which passes a rod 87,

carrying on its outer end a bearing 88 for an auxiliary inking-wheel 89,normally held in an outward position, as shown in Fig. 9, by means of acoil-sprin g 90, interposed between the bearing and the head of thesocket 86, a nut 91, screwed upon the rear end of the rod 87 and bearingagainst the socket, determining the outward movement of theinking-wheel.

The impression member and printing-die having a revolution in oppositedirections, as has been heretofore described, the segmental portions 78are timed tocoincide with each other upon each revolution of the same,the movable bearing 63 for the impression member being adjustedpositively outward for this purpose. To accomplish this adjustment, theinner side of the box 63 is inclined, as shown at 92, Fig. 4, as is alsothe outer face of the table at, as shown at 93, and between theseinclined surfaces is arranged a wedge-shaped block 94, having adepending stem 95, which passes through the eye of an eyebolt 96,carried by the frame, the rod and wedge-shaped head being adjustedvertically by means of nuts 97, screwed upon the stem above and belowthe eyebolt 96.

In order to allow of an outward movement of the impression-cylinder, andconsequently the shaft 62 and the bearing. 63, the outer flange of theextension 48 of the table 4 is provided with a screw-threaded orifice,in which is screwed a sleeve 98, between the inner end of which and thebearing-63 is interposed a coilspring 99, the sleeve being capable ofbeing screwed in and out to adjust the tension of the spring, ajam-nut100, screwing upon the sleeve and bearing against the metal of theextension 48, holding the sleeve in an adjusted position. The sleeve isprovided with a central longitudinal orifice, through which extends astem 101, secured to and carried by the bearing 63,a nut 102,screwingupon the outer end of the stem and bearing against the sleeve, servingas a means by which the sleeve can be adjusted prior to the adjustmentby the wedge 94:, and thus leave the tension of the spring 99 betweenthe sleeve 98 and the bearing 63 unchanged. The impression memberand theprinting-dieare thus held apart at any required distance to suit thethickness of the mail-matter to be canceled, the pressure of theprinting-die upon the mail-matter being also kept uniform or of arequired pressure by means of the spring 99 and the means for adjustingit above described.

The outer periphery of the segmental portion 78 of theimpression-cylinder is perfectly smooth but the outer face of thesegmental portion of the marking-die is provided with suitable means forholding the cancelingtype or the usual line-type are placed, whichprovide a means by which the stamp upon the mail-matter is canceled asit passes between the marking-die and the impressioncylinder, as hasheretofore been described. The metal comprising the segmental portion 78of the marking-die is also cut away, forming a rectangular orifice 103,in which is placed a box 104 to receive the type which prints thepostmark upon the mail-matter, the type being held within the holder bymeans of the top plate 105, which is held in place bya clamping-lever106, bearing at one end upon the top of the marking-die and at itsopposite end upon the top plate 105 with the pressure exerted by a screw107, the head of which bears against the clamping-plate, the stem ofwhich screws into a correspondingly-shaped orifice in the metal of themark-- ing-die.

Arranged upon the extension 47 of the table 4 and pivotally securedthereto at 108 is a plate 109, having a flange 110 extending upwardly atthe edge thereof except at its forward edge 111, this plate carrying theinkreceptacle 112 and inking-rollers 113 and 114. The ink-receptaclecomprises an outer cupshaped box and an inner box 116, each beingprovided with orifices 117 and 118, respectively, which when theycoincide, as shown in Fig. 7, allow the ink to flow therethrough and betransmitted by the inkingrollers 113 and 114 to the marking projectionsand type upon the marking-die, which contact with the inking-roller 114upon each revolution of the markingdie. When, however, the orifices inthe receptacles 115 and the box 116 are placed out of coincidence thefeed of the ink is shut off or can be regulated. To regulate or cut offthe feed of the ink, I have provided the receptacle 115 and the box 116with projections 119 and 120, respectively, which are in alinement, theprojection 119 having a slot 120, in which fits the stem 121 of athumb-screw 122, there being a nut upon the stem upon each side of theprojection 119, by which means the stem is held from longitudinalmovement therein. The outer end of the stem is screw-threaded and screwsinto a threaded orifice in the projection 120, whereby the projectionscan be brought together or forced apart, which effects a revolution ofthe receptacle 115 or box 116 with relation to each other, andconsequently regulates the size of the feed-orifices or entirely closesthe same, according to the direction of revolution of the stem of thethumb-screw 122.

After the mail-matter is passed between the marking-roller and theimpression-cylinder, whereby the stamp is canceled and the postmark isplaced thereon, it is carried by the impetus given thereto by thecarrier-belt onto the table 6 and is forced outwardly in the directionof the arrow, Fig. 1, by, means of the worm-screw 123,which is mountedupon a shaft 124, journaled in suitable bearings in the frame andarranged parallel to the shaft 14, by which it is driven through themedium of a belt 125, passed over pulleys 126 127, se-' cured upon theshafts 14 and 124, respectively. In the operation of the machine aparcel or bundle of mail-matter is placed upon the feeding mechanism, asillustrated in Fig. 5, the feed-plate is placed upon the screw-shafts,-the arm 44 abutting against the parcel, and the machineis put intomotion,which revolves the screw-shafts and forces the feed-plate forwardto cause the individual parts to pass beyond the end of the screw-shaftsand to be forced by the rotary drum 32 downward upon the carrier-belt.The carrier-belt having a revolution, as indicated by the arrow, Fig. 3,carries the mail-matter forward and until stopped by the angled end ofthe lever 71.

The clamping-dogs 82 are timed in their revolution to assume theposition shown in Fig. 1 and to grasp the mail-matter and tosimultaneously move the inner end of the lever 70 outward, as has beenheretofore described, and thereby move the mail-matter forward betweenthe impression-cylinder and the marking-die and cancel the stamp andplace the postmark thereon by means of the impression-type heretoforedescribed, which are inked upon each revolution of the marking-die bycontact with the inking-roller 114, the mail-matter being released bythe impression-cylinder and marking-die or parts carried thereby upon astill further revolution of the same and is carried forward by thecarrier-belt and thrown upon the table 6, where it is wormed by theworm-screw 123 in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 1.

Should the stamp be placed upon the lefthand corner of the envelop, themarkingroller 89 will contact therewith, being previously engaged bycontact with the inkingroller 114, and cancel the stamp.

The impression-cylinder is at all times held from engagement with anypart of the body of the marking-die by the wedge 94, as has beenheretofore described, and has an outward movement against the tension ofthe spring 99 to compensate for different thicknesses of mail-matterpassed between the same and the marking-die.

128 and 129 represent tables suitably supported upon the frame whichform extensions of the tables 4 and 5, respectively, the table 128having a hinged portion 130, which can be folded back, as shown in Fig.1, to expose the impression -cylinder and its adjusting mechanism whenit is desired to adjust or repair the same.

In Fig. 11 I have shown a modification of the type-holder which consistsin forming in the face of the segmental portion 78 of the marking-die anorifice in which fits a typeholder 131, having a recess 132 upon itsupper side, near the forward end thereof, and an inclined rear face 133.The interior of the type-holder is provided with an orifice 134 toreceive the type 135, which are formed with a recess 136 in the sidethereof, in which a pin 137 fits, carried by one side of thetype-holder,

it being understood that the type-holder is formed of two sections heldtogether in an alined position by the said pin 137.

138 designates a lever pivoted centrally of its length at 139 to a lugprojecting upwardly from the upper face of the marking-die, the forwardend 140 of said lever extending through an orificein the marking-die andnormally resting in the recess 132 in the typeholder. The opposite endof the lever 133 is provided with a depending projection 141, inclinedupon its inner face, the spring 142 arranged thereon and interposedbetween the marking-die and the body of the lever serving to hold therear end of the lever in a raised position.

The operation is as follows: W hen the rear end of the lever isdepressed, the portion 140 of the lever is disengaged from the recess132, the rear end being depressed and pressing against the inclined rearface 133 of the typeholder forces the same outward, whereby it can begrasped by the operator and entirely removed and separated for theremoval of the type contained therein and for the insertion of new ones.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, the combination with arevoluble impression member and marking-die,of means for separating andfeeding the mailmatter progressively comprising revoluble screwfeed-shafts upon which the mail-matter rests and is separated'one by onein its forward movement, means for revolving the same, and an auxiliaryfeed-plate adapted to move coincidently with the feed movement of thescrew-shafts, substantially as described.

2. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, in combination with arevoluble impression member and marking-die,of means for separating andfeeding the mail-matter successively from aparcel or bundle ofmailmatter, comprising revoluble screw-shafts, a gravity feed-plateresting upon the screwshafts, and means for revolving the screwshafts,substantially as described.

3. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, in combination with arevoluble impression member and marking die, of screwshafts and meansfor revolving the same, a feed-plate resting upon the shafts, the outerscrew-shaft being of greater length than the opposite shaft,substantially as described.

41:. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, in combination with arevoluble impression member and marking-die, of a table supporting thefeeding mechanism, screwshafts each journaled at one end in bearingscarried by the table, an upwardly-projecting flange upon the inner sideof the table, a stop secured thereto and projecting above the ends ofthe screw-shafts, a feeding-plate propelled by the screw-shafts, andmeans for revolving the screw-shafts, substantially as described.

In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine in combination with arevoluble impression member and marking-die of a feed mechanism, and thecanceling and marking mechanism, a revoluble drum havinglongitudinally-arranged pins and a peripheral row of pins upon theforward end thereof, substantially as described.

6. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, a frame having arevoluble printing-die journaled in fixed bearings thereon, a revolubleimpression member, a journalbox, and means for adjusting the samelocated between the said box and frame, a stem extending outwardly fromthe box, a sleeve screwed into an outer bracket extension of the framethrough which the stem passes, a spiral spring upon the stem to passbetween the box and sleeve and a nut adjustable upon the same to bearagainst the outer end of the sleeve, substantially as described.

'7. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, in combination with arevoluble impression member and marking-die, a carrierbelt and means forcontinuously feeding mailmatter thereon, a stop for the mail-matterarranged in front of the canceling and postmarking mechanism comprisinglevers against which the mail-matter abuts, dogs carried by theimpression member and marking-die respectively adapted to grasp themail-matter held by the levers, the dog upon the marking diesimultaneously abutting against and positively separating the levers,substantially as described.

8. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, the combination of arevoluble impression member and marking-die and means for feedingmail-matter thereto, dogs carried by the impression member andprinting-die normally held in a projected position, and an inking-wheelcarried by the marking-die normally held in a projected position,substantially as described.

9. In a stamp-canceling and postmarking machine, the combination of arevoluble impression member and marking-die and means for feedingmail-matter thereto, of an ink-receptacle comprising an inner and anouter casing, each having perforations in horizontal alinement, lugsupon the casings and a screw-bolt connecting the lugs, whereby thecasings are revolved with reference to each other, and inking-rollershaving a peripheral contact with the periphery of the ink-receptacle,substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention I have signed myname in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

. GEORGE W. SOHOOK.

Witnesses:

B. KRUEPER, B. FERSTL.

